Iconix grants Textiss the Umbro license in France for footwear and clothing

From 2026, Umbro's business in France will be managed by the Drôme-based Textiss group. The company, run by Sylvain Caire and specializing in men's underwear, develops in particular its Freegun brand, as well as products under license from Pierre Cardin and Von Dutch. Textiss takes over the Umbro footwear and textile license in France, which had belonged to the Royer group for 10 years.

“As owner of the Umbro brand, the Iconix group has decided to entrust the Textiss group with the textile and footwear license in France from 2026, a natural evolution that continues the historical relationship between Iconix, Royer and Textiss,” the group explained in a press release on December 19, adding that Textiss has been the licensee of Umbro underwear and socks in France for a decade.

“In agreement with the Royer group, the license will be subject to an organized and carefully managed transition,” the group said. “Starting in January 2026, Textiss will manage orders for the second half of 2026, ensuring a smooth operational transfer for all customers and partners.”

The American group Iconix, a specialist in the licensed brand development model, was looking for a solution for the license covering the key products of the British sporting goods brand that it acquired from Nike in 2012. The Royer group owned the license after acquiring it in 2016.

Faced with the difficulties of the French specialist in the development of footwear and sportswear brands, Iconix finally opted for the Châteauneuf-du-Rhône group to take charge of the brand's main categories. Umbro currently equips the Le Havre football club, HAC.

Neither the value of the deal nor organizational details about the teams that have worked or will work on the license have been disclosed.